/ 26 March 1999

GOVT CONDEMNS NATO BOMBING

THE government has expressed its “grave concern” at the Nato military action against Yugoslavia. In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said: “This is in violation of the United Nations Charter and accepted norms of international law and it has exacerbated the situation in the Balkans.” The statement stressed the need to resolve disputes by peaceful means and emphasised the primary responsibility of the United Nations Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security. “The erosion of the United Nations Charter and the authority of the United Nations Security Council cannot be tolerated by the international community,” the statement continued. The government called on all parties to the conflict to respect United Nations Security Council resolutions 1199 and 1203 and to actively explore a diplomatic solution.